Founded in 1996, Universidad Santa María, Campus Guayaquil (University of Santa María, Guayaquil Campus) is a private higher-education institution located in the metropolis of Guayaquil (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Guayas. Officially recognized by the Consejo de Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior del Ecuador (Council for Quality Assurance of Higher Education of Ecuador), Universidad Santa María, Campus Guayaquil (USM) is a coeducational Ecuadorian higher education institution. Universidad Santa María, Campus Guayaquil (USM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees in several areas of study. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. USM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.